Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City

ACE's mission is to equip self-advocates with Down syndrome to live a meaningful adult life by maximizing their independence and productive participation within their community. View the ACE Brochure here.

ACE promotes enhanced skill development in a safe, supportive environment. Supports are individualized, goal driven, technologically integrated, community-based, and expertly designed for lifelong learning. Our program staff will actively teach and embed the following throughout the program:

Daily Living

Social & Communication Skills

Community Engagement

Health, Wellness & Safety

Self-Advocacy

Vocational Development

Who is ACE for?

Adults with Down syndrome (18+ years of age) who:

Could benefit from additional support to compliment current services (18-21 programs, postsecondary programs).

Want an alternative to current day programs.

Are looking to supplement part-time work and/or volunteer schedule.

Are sunsetting from employment and would benefit from extra support.

What our families have shared with us, in regards to their visions for their children:

“Our vision for our daughters is to live as independently as possible and be able to maintain meaningful employment and be an active member of their community.”

“I want him to have the same options my other kids have, love work, independence.”

“Independent, happy, social, valued.”

“Living as independently as possible, meaningful employment, active social life.”

DSG listened and we are committed to supporting adults with Down syndrome achieve their full potential!

Comprehensive Evaluation assists in determining strengths and challenges impacting participation in daily life and will be a collaborative effort among the self-advocate, family, ACE Program Manager, and DSG Therapy Team.

Individualized Service Plan (ISP) includes short-term and long-term goals to increase independence in areas that are important to the self-advocate and their family. Learning Center Participation will be influenced by the ISP.

Learning Center will include groups focused on education and training across all Pillars of DSG Programming. This includes community outings, technology utilization, job training, physical activity, healthy eating, and promotion of self-advocacy skills.

Consultations from DSG therapists (OT, SLP, BCBA) are available to provide support to participants and staff as needed, to ensure maximum benefits from ACE participation.

Progress Monitoring will occur on a daily basis as all Program Assistants will be highly trained in data collection. Families will be provided thorough documentation, including an evaluation report, ISP, quarterly progress reports, and daily self-reflection from the self-advocate.